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The pharmacological basis of coronary and systemic vasodilator actions of diazepam (Valium)
Author(s) -
ABEL R. M.,
REIS R. L.,
STAROSCIK R. N.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1970.tb12890.x
Subject(s) - vasodilation , blockade , atropine , medicine , diazepam , anesthesia , receptor
Summary1 The effects of α and β‐adrenoceptor blockade, depletion of catecholamine stores, vagotomy, atropine, and ganglionic blockade on diazepam‐induced vasodilatation were investigated in forty‐six anaesthetized dogs. 2 Coronary blood flow was measured by timed collections of coronary venous efflux from fibrillating, decompressed ventricles; coronary and systemic vascular resistances were determined during total cardiopulmonary bypass under conditions of normothermia and constant aortic (coronary artery) pressure. 3 No significant alteration in the vasodilatation produced by diazepam was observed following either vagotomy or α‐adrenoceptor blockade; partial inhibition of vasodilatation occurred after β‐adrenoceptor blockade or catecholamine depletion, and nearly total inhibition was observed after small doses of atropine or ganglion‐blocking agents. 4 The results suggest that diazepam may act as a specific ganglion‐stimulant, causing active sympathetic and cholinergic vasodilatation.